17 killed in India rescue chopper crash

Helicopter rescues pilgrims stranded because of heavy flooding near Kedarnath, Uttarakhand on June 24, 2013.

The death toll in a helicopter crash that occurred amid rescue efforts in the wake of massive flooding in India rose to 17 Wednesday, police said in a news release.

Images: India lashed by monsoon rains 20 photos

Images: India lashed by monsoon rains20 photos

India lashed by monsoon rains – Pedestrians run from water splashing over a sea wall in Mumbai on Monday, June 24. Authorities are scrambling to rescue thousands of people trapped after floods and landslides ravaged north India, leaving up to 1,000 feared dead.

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India lashed by monsoon rains – A man struggles with his umbrella during heavy rain in Mumbai on June 24.

India lashed by monsoon rains – Boatmen navigate a fast-moving river in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh state, on June 24.

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India lashed by monsoon rains – Workers pack candles at a factory in Ahmedabad, Gujarat state, on June 24. Candles are in great demand during India's monsoon season as heavy rains cause electricity blackouts.

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India lashed by monsoon rains – A stranded pilgrim carrying a child is ziplined across a river with the help of Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel in Govindghat, India, on June 23.

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India lashed by monsoon rains – Police carry a child during efforts to help stranded Indian pilgrims on June 23 after a section of road was washed away in Govindghat.

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India lashed by monsoon rains – Stranded Indian pilgrims make their way up a mountain in Govindghat on June 23.

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India lashed by monsoon rains – Police personnel use a rope rescue system to transport stranded pilgrims across a river in Govindghat on June 23.

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India lashed by monsoon rains – Severe flooding has left more than 50,000 people stranded in northern India. A boy rescued from flood-hit areas waits with others before being sent to relief camps in Dehradun, state capital of Uttarakhand, on Friday, June 21.

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India lashed by monsoon rains – A man bathes from a hand pump as a local resident carries her belongings to safer place on the banks of the Yamuna River in New Delhi on June 19.

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India lashed by monsoon rains – An Indian man, who was evacuated due to rising waters, searches along the banks of the Yamuna River in New Delhi on June 21.

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India lashed by monsoon rains – Buses and trucks are submerged in the rising waters of the Yamuna River near the Tibetan market in New Delhi on June 19.

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India lashed by monsoon rains – Shopkeepers are using boats to traverse the rising waters of the Yamuna River at the Tibetan market in New Delhi on June 19.

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India lashed by monsoon rains – Men watch the rising waters of the Yamuna River from a bridge in New Delhi on June 19.

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India lashed by monsoon rains – Civil Defence volunteers warn people against attempting to catch floating pumpkins, watermelons and other objects from the rising waters of the Yamuna River in New Delhi on June 19.

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India lashed by monsoon rains – Evacuees hug their family members after arriving by helicopter in Dehradun, the capital of the state of Uttarakhand on June 19.

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India lashed by monsoon rains – Hindu priests move their shelters from the banks of the Ganga river as the water level rises in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh state, on June 19.

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India lashed by monsoon rains – The Kedarnath Temple (C, foreground) is pictured amid flood destruction in the holy Hindu town of Kedarnath in Uttarakhand state on June 18.

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India lashed by monsoon rains – Water flows over a Hindu statue during heavy monsoon rains in Rishikesh town in the state of Uttrakhand on June 17.

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Fifteen people remain missing, the news release said. "Their helicopter crashed when they were returning home after rescuing and safely sending home more than 2,000 yatris," or people on pilgrimage," it said.

The incident occurred Tuesday near Gaurikund in the state of Uttarakhand.

Scores of people have been killed and trapped in flooding and landslides in the country.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the crash "has come as a huge shock to me."

"The nation mourns with me the loss of our heroes whose selfless work has saved thousands of lives," he said in a statement. "Continuing their work would be the best homage to them."